IL: Businesses Serving Alcohol In Several Illinois Counties Must Complete New Server, Seller TrainingNorthern Public Radio

By Katie Finlon

June 23, 2016

Restaurants within a few northern Illinois counties will have to complete a new alcohol training program by July 1.

That deadline is mandated by the state in a law that was created about a year ago. It says businesses that sell alcohol in counties with more than 200-thousand residents must complete Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training – or BASSET – by the beginning of next month.

That includes Winnebago, McHenry, Kane, DuPage and Will counties. Champaign, Lake, Madison and St. Clair counties are also on the list.

Chris Weinbrenner – a BASSET instructor in DuPage County – says the training is meant to teach employees how to not overserve and to protect patrons, surrounding residents and businesses.

“Essentially, when it comes to civil or criminal lawsuits, anybody can be named a party as part of liability because of negligence of not making reasonable efforts to be a responsible server or seller,” Weinbrenner said.

Weinbrenner says the possible consequences for businesses whose employees do not complete BASSET training are fines and losing liquor licenses. He says there is also an insurance incentive for those businesses whose entire staff is BASSET certified.